Customer Reviews

A Thousand Benjamins

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Last summer, my wife and I attended a wedding in Michigan. It was a lovely affair by all accounts, but there is one thing in particular that we will always remember, and that I suspect everyone else in attendance will always remember as well: the toast by the best man. The best man was a rather nondescript looking man in his mid-30s. Even now, I couldn't tell you what he looked like other than to say he was about 5'10" and had curly hair; he may have had glasses. When we were all gathered in the banquet room, he took the microphone and began to speak. And, for the next 10 minutes or more, he held us all in the palm of his hands like I've never seen before in my life. He was charming, he was witty (he told one joke about how the groom once claimed to like to brush up on his Spanish by watching CSPAN), he was self-deprecating, he paused at the right moments and for exactly the right length of time. He was, simply, brilliant. Then, when he had us laughing loud and long, when no one dared to move because they might miss something he said, he pulled the carpet out from us like a magician and ended with such a sweet and touching comment that left most people in tears. It was stunning, absolutely stunning, and he clearly understood that by making us laugh at first he was softening us up for the good stuff later. As soon as he was done, he was mobbed like some kind of pop star. I've never seen anything like it before, particularly at a wedding. Everyone had to talk to him. We asked who he was, and got a number of answers: he was Mike Kun, the groom's brother; he was some hot young trial lawyer; and, finally, someone said, "He's the best writer you'll ever meet, but he doesn't write anymore." My wife was too nervous to talk with him, but I grabbed his ear for about 5 minutes and left wishing I had a daughter to introduce him to. He's a remarkable young man, as I've since confirmed by reading "A Thousand Benjamins," his first novel. I've recently learned that he in fact hasn't stopped writing, and a new book called "The Locklear Letters" will be out shortly. I understand it's something of a comedy. If it's half as charming as his best man's toast, I'll bet it'll be a bestseller.

I was just checking in to see if Mike had written a new book when I read the last two e-mails. Mike Kun dead from a car accident? Very doubtful. I knew Mike -- heck, I used to date Mike -- and he was the safest, s-l-o-o-o-o-w-e-s-t driver in the world. Anytime you tried to get him to speed up, he'd say the same thing -- "I've got some pretty precious cargo with me" -- then, when you smiled, he'd pretend he wasn't talking about you, but about something in his trunk. But I'd heard the rumor about the car accident, too. In fact, we here in Baltimore have heard a lot of rumors about Mike since he disappeared a few years ago, most of which aren't even remotely plausible. Died of a drug overdose? Yeah, right -- Mike doesn't even drink. Died in a mountain-climbing accident? Mike wouldn't go mountain climbing for a million dollars -- afraid of heights, don't you know. Drowned on a vacation? Well, I guess that could happen to anyone, but we would've heard about it. And that rumor about him dating Jewel? Are you on crack? Sure, she looks like the kind of girl Mike would date, but have you read Jewel's poetry? The truth of the matter is that Mike wrote two great books -- A Thousand Benjamins and Our Poor Sweet Napoleon -- then stopped writing. He won't talk about it, but he had his heart broken by a girl he went to law school with and just lost the desire to write. Don't remember her name, but she's one stupid chick. Maybe he'll write another book someday, which is why I check this website every once in a while, but I wouldn't bet on it. He will always be one of the sweetest, kindest, most generous people I have ever met, and by far the FUNNIEST.

And, Mike, if you happen to read this review -- still love ya, baby!

I was just checking on amazon and saw that Mike Kun has a new book coming out in June called "The Locklear Letters." I've been smiling since the moment I saw that, and I imagine I'll be smiling until the book comes out! I can't pretend to be unbiased: I knew Mike back in college, have always thought that he was a PHENOMENAL writer, and, to my husband's dismay, I've had a mad crush on him for almost 20 years. Mike is probably the most talented person I've ever had the pleasure of meeting, and people who have only had the opportunity to read "A Thousand Benjamins" are missing out on a lot. The same guy who wrote that sweet and tender book is also the hands-down funniest writer ever to walk on this planet. Anyone who's ever read his short stories knows that he has an impeccable sense of comic timing. God only knows whether "The Locklear Letters" will be one of his sweet books, or one of his funny ones (or both), but I have no doubt that it'll be terrific.

It's very funny to read the other readers' comments and the rumors that Mike Kun is dead. Where did that ever come from? The guy's not dead. We just met him and his girlfriend when they were in Hawaii on vacation a couple months ago, and he certainly appeared to be alive. He was breathing, talking, eating, moving -- all things which stongly suggest he is still alive! Not only that, but he said he's got a new book that he's trying to get published called "The Lockman Letters," which sounded like it might be funny. If it's as funny as parts of "Benjamins" were, then I'll definitely be recommending it to our book club. On a personal note, in case he reads this: Mike, my husband and I thank you for dinner and thought your girlfriend was adorable.

I enjoyed "A Thousand Benjamins," but it's been so long that I can barely remember it anymore. What I do recall about it was that it included some of the funniest scenes in any novel I've ever read. Last summer, a friend e-mailed me a copy of a book called "The Locklear Letters" with a note that said, "You must read this. I defy you not to laugh out loud." It was, simply, the funniest thing I've ever read (including David Sedaris), but at the same time it was a very complex and touching story. For some reason, it took me several months to connect the dots and realize that it was the same author as "A Thousand Benjamins." In the last few months, I've told so many people about "The Locklear Letters," and I was always surprised when it didn't show up on amazon.com. Until today. Apparently, it'll be out in June. And, apparently, I'm not the only one who will be standing in line to get a copy. It is a comic masterpiece, pure and simple. Now, I only wish I could figure out if the author is still alive or not. These customer reviews are terribly confusing on that subject. Surely someone knows if he's still alive, right?

A friend of mine met the author on a vacation to Hawaii and lent me her copy of the book. It's excellent! Sad, funny, sweet, well-written. Not sure I see the comparisons to J.D. Salinger, but that's not a bad thing. Already looking forward to his next book.

I was very sad to read about Michael Kun's death. I actually met him about 10 years ago in Powell's bookstore in Portland. I had probably finished reading his book about 2 months earlier, and it was still very fresh on my mind -- that's the kind of book it is, the kind that stays with you. So, I was in Powell's, and I saw this guy I recognized looking at John O'Hara books. It took me a couple minutes before I realized that it was Michael Kun. I caught my breath, got my courage up, then introduced myself. He couldn't have been nicer. This might have been the sweetest, funniest man who ever walked the earth. He was shocked that someone recognized him -- did I mention how incredibly cute he was? -- and then we just joked around and talked about books for the longest time. I think he was there on vacation. When he had to leave, he told me to give him a call if I was ever in Baltimore, and I actually thought about making up a reason to go there just to see him. The guy was an incredible writer. It's a shame he only wrote one book before he died, and even more of a shame that it wasn't a huge hit. If you haven't read this book yet, find a copy somewhere. The language is so beautiful.

What an overlooked gem. I haven't seen a better rookie performance since Tony Conigliaro. Splendid character development on top of an intricate plot line. Clearly, the author has tremendous potential and is a force to be reckoned with. I hope he surfaces again soon.

Ann Tyler, look out!!!

This is a response to the last reviewer. I also LOVED "A Thousand Benjamins" and have looked everywhere for anything else by this author. A friend of mine tracked down a book he wrote called "Our Poor Sweet Napoleon," which was serialized in an East Coast newspaper about 10 years ago. It was absolutely amazing -- a wild, funny, sad story about people struggling with the essence of truth. I still have a photocopy of it, which I hope doesn't violate some copyright laws, and I still go back and read chapters every now and then just to laugh. I don't know if "Our Poor Sweet Napoleon" was ever published by anyone in book form, which is a shame -- it's even better than "A Thousand Benjamins," if you can believe that. Anyway, I haven't seen anything from the author since. Friends of mine had also heard the rumor that he died in a car accident, as well as a rumor that he was very ill. On the other side of things, they'd also heard a rumor that he was dating Jewel (the singer) and had co-written some of her songs. Who knows what really happened to him. But I agree with the last reviewer -- if you know the author, please tell him to write another book! Soon! I promise to buy 100 copies myself!

This is an absolutely incredible novel! I found it in a used book store a few years ago and have read it no fewer than four times. It's graceful and poetic, yet funny. It's impossible to put down. The characters are unusual and lovable, Kim and Phinney in particular. You finish the book wanting to know more about these people and hoping everything turns out well for them. Each time I read the book, I pick up something that I missed the first time -- some subtle wordplay, a joke, a hint about what might happen. I didn't want this book to ever end.

Does anyone know why this wasn't made into a movie? It would've been great. Does anyone know if the author has written anything else? I've heard rumors that he died in a car accident or that he quit writing to teach law school. Does anyone know what happened to him? If you do, please tell him HE NEEDS TO WRITE ANOTHER BOOK SOON!